Second chance helps Jets

After flag on Patriots, Folk wins it with a shorter FG in OT

Associated Press

Associated Press

Published 10:21 pm, Sunday, October 20, 2013

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Geno Smith #7 of the New York Jets celebrates after he ran for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 30-27 in overtime. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 180385270

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Quarterback Geno Smith #7 of the...

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots argues after the Patriots were called for a penalty on the Jets field goal attempt in the overtime period of the New York Jets 30-27 win over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ron Antonelli/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 180385270

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the...

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 20: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots reacts during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 20, 2013 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 180385270

After a newly instituted rule gave New England a penalty and Nick Folk another chance, he booted a 42-yard field goal with 5:07 left in overtime to give the New York Jets a 30-27 victory over the Patriots on Sunday.

"I was like, 'You know what? It's about time we got a break,'" Ryan said, smiling. "That's really what I was thinking. It just worked out."

Folk was wide left on a 56-yarder, but the miss was negated when New England's Chris Jones was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on a 15-yard penalty that had never before been called in an NFL game.

Referee Jerome Boger explained in a pool report that Jones was called for pushing his teammate "into the opponents' formation." Umpire Tony Michalek threw his flag "almost instantaneously as he observed the action," Boger said. "We just enforced it as he called it."

Belichick disagreed with the application of the rule.

"You can't push in the second level," Belichick said. "I didn't think we did that."

New York (4-3), given new life, ran the ball three times to set up Folk's winner and send the green towel-waving fans at MetLife Stadium into a frenzy.

"It was something that we talked about probably in camp and stuff, and it just skipped out of my mind," Jones said. "It was my mistake and nobody else's. I've just got to man up to it and fix it next time."

Folk thought the Patriots (5-2) might have been called for 12 men on the field. So did a few other Jets.

New England had defeated New York in six straight regular-season meetings, and saw its 12-game winning streak against AFC East opponents end.

"Everyone has to look at themselves and do a better job," Brady said, "because what we're doing now isn't good enough."

Brady opened overtime with a 16-yard pass to Rob Gronkowski, making his season debut. But the Jets forced New England to punt.

Gronkowski almost made a one-handed grab late in regulation when he had a clear lane into the end zone. Gronkowski, who missed the first six games after having off-season surgery on his back and broken left forearm, had eight catches for 114 yards.

It was the second time in three games Brady was held without a touchdown pass, both losses. Brady finished 22 of 46 for 228 yards and had an interception returned 23 yards for a touchdown by Antonio Allen.

Smith, who threw three fourth-quarter interceptions in a Week 2 loss at New England, was 17 of 33 for 233 yards. He had a first-quarter interception returned 79 yards for a touchdown by rookie Logan Ryan.

Smith rebounded and gave the Jets a 24-21 lead in the third quarter on an 8-yard run.

"I'm never going to crumble," Smith said. "No matter what happens. You know, that's just not in me."